Vocabulary
Languid
Slow or relaxed; lacking energy, vitality, or interest. Slow or relaxed; lacking energy, vitality, or interest
What unusual smell or taste does Billy notice when he drinks the tea?
Bitter almond
What methods does Hope use to murder his victims?
He offers them an option between taking a pill (one is poison, one is harmless), or he will stab them.
Implacable
Not capable of being appeased, significantly changed, or pacified; relentless or unstoppable.
What has likely happened to the landlady’s former guests?
The landlady has murdered them, likely using taxidermy.
How did John Ferrier and Lucy become involved with the Mormon community?
They were starving in the desert and a group of Mormons offered to take them into their community if they promised to abide by their rules.
Recompense
Something given to someone as a reward or as compensation for loss, suffering, or effort in order to make amends
List one example of Dahl’s use of foreshadowing to build suspense in the story.
"deadly cold"
"flat blade of ice on his cheeks"
The description of Billy being young, eager and everything he has is new.
The description of the city being run down.
"Animals were usually a good sign in a place like this"
What does the Mormon community want from Lucy?
They want her to chose someone in the community to marry.
The use of many words where fewer would do, especially to be vague or evasive.
Circumlocution
What is likely to happen to Billy at the end of the story?
He is likely to be murdered by the landlady.
Why does Jefferson Hope seek revenge against Drebber and Stangerson?
Stangerson murdered John Ferrier and Drebber forced Lucy to marry him. She died within a month afterwards of a broken heart.